Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of HAPPINESS.....
As the Fourth of July approaches, many of us begin to think about some of our basic rights that were set forth by the founders of our nation. Among them, are the vague, although significant ones, which include the pursuit of happiness.
What is happiness? For some, it may be objectively defined, as being a virtue, or a state of being that has more reference to doing service for others, and impact on the outside world rather than a subjective state of being. Often, some individuals define happiness more subjectively, in terms of tangible objects, such as money, (hitting the lotto), having a nice home, having a swimming pool, car, fragrance collection, looking good, buying as much as one wants. Still for others, the idea is defined from within, having a state of well being, including good health, both physical and mental, and achieving a certain type of inner peace, and quiet mind. Still for others, it may be having children, and seeing them succeed, be healthy and reach their goals.
So here is my question to you: What is your definition of happiness? How, and under what circumstances do you achieve it? Does it involve self-less acts, necessarily? Are acquiescions of material goods a part of what makes you happy? Is it a state of mind, body and soul?
Have a good 4th of July.
Thank you for your minds.
What is happiness? For some, it may be objectively defined, as being a virtue, or a state of being that has more reference to doing service for others, and impact on the outside world rather than a subjective state of being. Often, some individuals define happiness more subjectively, in terms of tangible objects, such as money, (hitting the lotto), having a nice home, having a swimming pool, car, fragrance collection, looking good, buying as much as one wants. Still for others, the idea is defined from within, having a state of well being, including good health, both physical and mental, and achieving a certain type of inner peace, and quiet mind. Still for others, it may be having children, and seeing them succeed, be healthy and reach their goals.
So here is my question to you: What is your definition of happiness? How, and under what circumstances do you achieve it? Does it involve self-less acts, necessarily? Are acquiescions of material goods a part of what makes you happy? Is it a state of mind, body and soul?
Have a good 4th of July.
Thank you for your minds.
20 Comments:
Good question. I would like to say that happiness is a state of mind, but hey we can focus and dream of happiness all day long, but when the external forces hit, sometimes happiness can be altered. I think happiness is a personal choice that is sometimes influence by outer circumstances. Those circumstances vary person to person. I am simple person i don't require much to be happy.. But even those simple things i require are sometimes compromised leaving me feeling frustrated. Spiritually i have been taught that all happines comes from within not from without. I have yet to conquer that principle. We all have needs and sometimes the persuit of those needs and or desires can lead to unhappiness. I am beginning to think that external happiness is measured by how much you can tolerate from the world in general. We live in an awful day and times. So much madness, insanity, hate, lies, war and pain... So for me sometimes even when i am happy, i can't help but to be unhappy when i think about what some of my fellow human brother or sisters, no matter what race my be experiencing. All i can do is sigh... and continue to try and understand this process....
Thanks for waking up my brain today...
Beautiful answer, soulsista!
DM, do you ever even read someone else's post, or are your responses all about the holy trilogy, me, myself and I!
Barbara, nooooooo....
..dont take me there... noooo...
You bring out the academic geek in me.. I feel like Al Pacino in Godfather III, "everytime I try to get out they pull me back in..."
OK.. you ask! (great question)
My definition is based on things I have read from 3 philosophers; Aristotle, St Thomas Aquinas and St Augustine.
St Augustine argued that material possesions are not happiness because with them, you also acquire the FEAR of losing them. Fear has no place in happiness.
Him, along with Aquinas, pair up happiness with actions. Every action has an end. In reality, each end is means to another end.
Happiness is the end of all ends.
They warned us against the confusion between happiness and pleasure. Pleasure is not an end.
Aquinas says that happiness is long term contemplation of our actions.
Aristotle pairs this up with contemplation of a good life according to virtue. Virtue comes from God.
So, Happiness is the end itself. Long term contemplation of living a good life according to virtue and reason, and its self actualization.
In my eyes...The United States gives us the opportunity to define Happiness as every individual sees fit.
This is the Pursuit of Happiness
Yes it is the Pursuit of Happiness...We live in a country where we have the right to follow our dreams. Many other countries do not allow their citizens to pursue their dreams. They many live in a dictatorship and have very few rights of their own. I’m grateful that I live in a country where I can worship as I please, I can work hard in a job that I like and take care of my family. I am grateful that I can go to the grocery store, shop, go to a movie or a concert, study at a school that I can afford and basically do as I like, within reason. This is one form of happiness that I am grateful for.
Each one of us has a different idea of what happiness is. I don’t think money or processions will bring happiness. I have seen too many people with both and they live miserable lives. I grew up in a house where we had very little money, but we were happy. Love of family, God and country are a major part of my happiness. If I happen to earn money along the way, then that is a plus. I also believe that helping others brings a certain amount of happiness to me.
A simple kind of happiness is knowing that I am blessed with a roof over my head, food on my table, three wonderful children and the love God has for me. Yes, there are days when things go wrong, but that is just part of life and I am the one that decides how it will affect me. I can make myself happy or miserable, it’s my choice.
Good question, Barb.
I think the definition actually changes as we go along. For me it means living and acting true to my core, and at the same time acting on behalf of the greater good. There's a tension there that can't be avoided, but on the razor's edge of that tension I find fulfillment.
I think a person's definition of happiness and the pursuit thereof is formed in childhood. The poor child might grow up to define material wealth as happiness, whereas the abused child defines trusting relationships as happiness. The child raised in chaos might define a circumscribed spiritual life as happiness. Me, all I ever wanted was to be left alone to do my own thing. I had no privacy and space of my own. My holy grail has always been peace -- freedom from the interference of other people and all of their sounds, smells, and agendas.
Yes, motherhood is gonna kick my butt. ;-)
my definition of "happiness" has changed over the years to the point that I do not really know what it is.
Please note, the framers said "pursuit of happiness", not happiness itself. An interesting distinction on their part
My happiness is very much affected by what is going on in the lives of the people I love, my family. When one of them is troubled and it is serious, then Mama ain't happy.
As long as nothing serious is going on in their lives to pull them down and as long as my basic needs are being met, then I am happy.
I have heard some people say that happiness is a choice, and it is to some extent. But when you have a child who is suffering and it is serious, then I don't see how you can choose to be happy.
Dang! Happiness seems to be ever more fleeting day after day of late.
I remember a day when I would be running with m'dog, eatin' things and sharing them with her (she loved the double cheeseburgers from McGreasies cause I wouyld get the "ketchup" sides and put them on one sandwich and give her the double with no ketchup!) (YUM!)
Then a romp at the park or go down t'Sugar Creek.
I miss m'dog, Ha Ha San.
'Course, I have two other beggers that have replaced her, sort of. But, Wacky doesn't do cars (without a fight) and GniGni is such a wanderlust, I'm afraid sometimes she'll just wander off.
But, they have their fun tricks and things we do on the property.
Which brings me to this...
Aren't you glad I'm a broke artist? 'Cause if I could get ouyt there t'California, I would track you down, follow you home (without you knowing it) and when you least expected it, I would put a cute puppy on yer doorstep , ring yer bell and run hide in the bushes across the street (or behind a tree or m'car or something...)
Honest, Barbara, y'all might not think ya want to, but, go get another dog.
Or, even better, get a DAWG.
Any humane shelter around ya can fix you up.
And, after you've had yer new dawg fer a while, get another one...that way, when one passes into the next place, you have a wet nose to console you.
Well, either that, or, talk yer hubby into wetting his nose and snuggle with ya for some time....
Happiness is a dog that loves ya.
And, just cause one ya loved left doesn't mean ya can't do it again.
Happiness for me, is when everyone is healthy, happy and living life to the fullest. Watching my children as they grow into the wonderful young women they've become. (lol the little road blocks along the way, are just part of parenting.)
BTW, I commented on Your next post, on my blog. I thought it was well written :) (of course, like all your stuff) but this one I'm sure will touch many.
Interesting question.....I tried to tackle this a while back and have actually thought about it some more since.
Happiness is the end itself? Hmmm... Though who am I to be arguing with a great philosopher...... BUT I believe that happiness can be felt along the way. Contentment, after a long successful journey while doing a task and finding your flow......is the end.
I will write more later....
Such good comments!
I agree that one's definition of the pursuit of happiness changes with time. Since life can change in a moment, so can our ideas about what makes us happy. For me, having my family healthy, I agree with Miranda, is number one in my defintion of what makes me happy. Everything else is truly secondary.
Boneman, I truly do miss my dog, Astro. I still cry about him, but know, like with everything, at times, we must let go so we can grow and move on and not be weighted down.
Happiness is something that you crate for yourself, however, it helps to know that your children will grow up in an environment where they won't be constantly accosted by morals and values that are completely against your own. Different than is fine, but completely opposed is not a good thing.
Hi hon! Great post today, but you've turned off the comments so I'll reserve mine on that topic.
For this one, happiness is health and loved ones (and my snuggly miniature poodle). The rest comes and goes and cannot be counted on.
On a more grandiose scale, the liberties and freedoms which have been guaranteed to us through the Constitution (and it's amendments) is of utmost importance to me. I wish it were to others, or the Patriot Act would've been severely curbed. I am concerned that not enough people are worried about the continual and steady erosion of our liberties.
Hope you had a great 4th, Barbara.
And, as for the first comment up there, ummm...I'm speechless.
one of the 613 mitzvos is hochiach tochiach es amisecha
In some ways, there must be a type of reward to explain and live one's life by all the mitzvot.
Dear Barbara from California,
I have read your latest post, and apparently you are not accepting comments. Or maybe my mother's computer is too old.
May you be blessed in all you do, especially defending the young and weak.
I wholeheartedly concur with you...too many not so righteous people, even evil persons, hide behind titles of righteousness. How do we change this???? It is a problem for all of humanity.
I could go on and on....
Your post has nudged me one step further to converting to Judaism. I must investigate more fully.
Bless you.
WW
WW
Thank you for the kind compliments. If there is something in how I live my life that makes you want to convert to Judaism, I am deeply flattered and humbled. I try to walk like I talk, most of the time. Being a Jew is a great opportunity, and is a religion rich in culture, tradition, and knowledge. Personally, I love it!
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